Mount Roosevelt

Mount Roosevelt. The Friendship Tower. Monument to a Friend , The Friendship Tower was constructed in 1919, through the efforts of Seth Bullock, lawman, rancher, entrepreneur, and second Forest Supervisor of the Black Hills National Forest, to commemorate the life and death of his personal friend Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt. , Building a Tower , The tower was constructed between March and July of 1919, with financial support from the Society of Black Hills Pioneers. Architectural plans were developed by C.E. Dawson and H.S. Vincent of Deadwood, SD. , On July 4, 1919, Bullock realized the completion of his dream with the dedication ceremony of the Mount Roosevelt Memorial. Guest speakers included South Dakota Governor Peter Norbeck. Seth died just three months later in September. He was buried above Deadwood Cemetery on Mount Moriah where he would have an unimpeded view of Mount Roosevelt. , Preserving History , Mount Roosevelt was deeded to the United States Forest Service by the Society of Black Hills Pioneers in 1966. In December 2005, the site was placed on the National Register of Historic Places for its unique architecture and workmanship. The site is also significant for its representation of Bullock and Roosevelt who were prominent figures in the conservation movement, federal land management, and history at local, regional and national levels. Restoration and interpretation of the tower, with support from the Deadwood Historical Preservation Commission and the Black Hills Parks and Forest Association, will preserve this site and its story for future generations. , A Castle in the Hills , Resembling a medieval castle, the Friendship Tower is built from native stone, standing 31 feet tall with a 12 foot diameter, on a 16-square foot base. Twenty montared steps and an iron hand rail- spiral up the inside wall providing access to the wood planked viewing platform which is encased by a - 3-foot flared parapet wall. Eight stone steps accessing the door were removed in 1974. , Captions: , Mount Roosevelt dedication ceremony, July 4, 1919 , Seth Bullock at Mount Roosevelt